Alpha Gamma Delta was founded at Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York on May 30, 1904.
When Alpha Gamma Delta was founded at Syracuse there were many professors of great reputation, but none more widely known than Dr. Wellesley Perry Coddington, head of the department of philosophy and psychology. Dr. Coddington graduated from Wesleyan University in 1860 and was a member of Eclectic Fraternity, Phi Nu Theta and Phi Beta Kappa. He taught Greek, Latin and German at old Genesee College and became one of the first five members of Syracuse University's faculty when Genesee became a part of Syracuse in 1871.
"Fraternity life must have meant much to him in his undergraduate days," wrote Georgia Dickover, Founder. "Over a half a century in a college community as student and professor, he remained as enthusiastic as a recent initiate."
From 1900-1905, however, enrollment at Syracuse doubled. This is what led Dr. Coddington to discuss the need for more organizations with Marguerite Shepard, class of 1905.
Because Marguerite was ending her junior year and would soon be graduating, she shared Dr. Coddington's idea with her younger sister, Estelle, a member of the class of 1908. Estelle saw the chance to make college friendships deeper and more permanent and discussed the possibility with her close friend, Georgia Dickover. These three women embraced the idea and made a list of other women to consider for membership. With Marguerite, Estelle and Georgia's approval, Dr. Coddington spoke with Jennie Titus, a member of his ethics class about the opportunity. She joined the group at their second meeting and became an energetic and eager worker.
On May 30th, 1904, 11 pioneering women came together to form Alpha Gamma Delta. Today Alpha Gamma Delta has grown to be an international organization with 179 collegiate chapters and 250 alumnae chapters, clubs and Junior Circles.
Timeline
Alpha Gamma Delta's First
Year
According to the 1931 Quarterly History Number
May 10—Jennie Titus joined the original three to meet with Dr.
Coddington in his home. The two methods of organization were discussed; forming
a local group to later become part of an already existing national, or that of
establishing the first chapter of a new national fraternity. The latter was
chosen.
May 17—A temporary organization was arranged. During the week prior,
three more friends were added to the group, Ethel Brown, Grace Mosher and Edith
MacConnell. Officers were decided upon: President, Jennie Titus; Vice-President,
Estelle Shepard; Treasurer, Grace Mosher; and Secretary, Georgia Dickover.
A fourth meeting was held (actual date unavailable) which added Georgia Otis to
the group. This meeting was held at Dr. Coddington's home. The decision reached
was that the motto of the organization should consist of three letters and the
pin should be a monogram of these letters. Dr. Coddington provided a list of
Greek-letter names not in use by national fraternities for the women to choose
from.
May 24—The fifth meeting of the women occurred in Grace Mosher's room.
It was voted "that we adopt the motto for which Alpha Gamma Delta stands
and that these letters shall be the name by which this Fraternity is
known." A design for the Badge was chosen and 25 cents was collected from
each member for summer expenses. Estelle was selected to bring at least three
selections for the Fraternity colors to the next meeting. Permanent organization
was postponed in order that a few more women who were being considered had the
opportunity to become charter members.
May 30—The official founding of Alpha Gamma Delta Fraternity in Dr.
Coddington's study at his home. Flora Knight, Emily Butterfield and Mary Snider
were added to the group. The chapter constitution and bylaws were read and
adopted, suggestions were made for the ritual and Badges, just received, were
worn for the first time. The colors of red, buff and green were chosen as Alpha
Gamma Delta colors, not only because of their meaning, but it was thought that
flowers of those colors could be obtained during the entire year. This historic
meeting adjourned until the opening of the next college year.
September 16-18—Edith MacConnell and Georgia Dickover met at Edith's
home in Harford, Pennsylvania, to prepare a written report for the first chapter
meeting. Most of this stands today as it was then written, but forms only the
beginning of our Ritual which is, of course, the perfection of the loving labor
of many members as well as of all the Founders.
September 19—A special meeting was held the night before the opening of
school. The urgent business of the meeting was regarding the procurement of more
members and how to go about "rushing."
September 20—Alpha Gamma Delta's first "rushing party" was
held in Winchell Hall where Marguerite Shepard and Estelle Shepard, Mary Snider
and Emily Butterfield lived.
October 22—Alpha Gamma Delta's first new member, Iva Lydell, was
pledged.
November 1—A house committee was formed to search for appropriate
housing for the women.
November 11—The original Pledge Pin design was adopted. The
Greek-letters Alpha and Delta tilted against a straight Gamma. The second Alpha
Gamma Delta new member, Helen Holley, first used it.
November 18—The first two new members were initiated into Alpha Gamma
Delta.
November 19—A new Badge design was adopted (also the design currently
in use). The original Badge was objected to because the Delta was jeweled and
placed above the other letters. For the new design, Dr. Coddington suggested to
the group that they denote the chapter letter(s) at the top of the back of the
Badge. He also proposed that a motto denoted by two letters appear in the two
lower corners of the Delta and the owner's name to be on the two sides.
March 31—A three-story, 13-room house at 761 Irving Avenue, only one
block from campus, was discovered by the house committee (then consisting of
Ethel Brown and Grace Mosher) and rented for Alpha Gamma Delta's use.
April 28—A knock, a call and a sign were adopted. The flowers of the
Fraternity were chosen, yellow and crimson roses. A grip was suggested but not
adopted until June 7. A ritual for installation of officers was presented and
adopted.
May 6—In preparation for the much-hoped addition of another Alpha Gamma
Delta chapter, Marguerite Shepard presented a national constitution. It was
adopted to be binding only until the first Convention.
May 12—First Fraternity pictures taken. One of the Founders and one of
the 19 Alpha Chapter members.
May 30—Alpha Gamma Delta's first birthday.
June 1—A special meeting was called in Mary Snider and Emily
Butterfield's room to take action on the granting of a charter of Alpha Gamma
Delta to an organization at the University of Wisconsin. A motion was carried
and Beta Chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta began. Jennie Titus, retiring President,
and Ethel Brown, President, were appointed delegates to install this chapter.
June 3—A Certificate of Incorporation was recorded in the office of the
Secretary of New York State in Albany for Alpha Gamma Delta.
June 7—The tradition of wearing ribbons of the three Fraternity colors
under the Badge on the day of installation of a chapter began.
June 16—Beta Chapter was installed and 12 women were initiated at the
University of Wisconsin into the second chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta.